Navigation system with parking lot integrated routing mechanism and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying a physical location with a location unit; selecting a starting point based on the physical location; selecting a destination; identifying a destination lot associated with the destination; and calculating a vehicle travel route from the starting point to the destination with the vehicle travel route traversing through the destination lot with a control unit for displaying on a device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/889,608 filed Sep. 24, 2010.

TECHNICAL FIELD

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a navigationsystem, and more particularly to a system with parking lot integratedrouting mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Modern portable consumer and industrial electronics, especially clientdevices such as navigation systems, smart phones, portable digitalassistants, and combination devices are providing increasing levels offunctionality to support modern life including location-basedinformation services. Research and development in the existingtechnologies can take a myriad of different directions.

As users become more empowered with the growth of mobile location basedservice devices, new and old paradigms begin to take advantage of thisnew device space. There are many technological solutions to takeadvantage of this new device location opportunity. One existing approachis to use location information to provide navigation services such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) for a car or on a mobile device such asa cell phone, portable navigation device (PND) or a personal digitalassistant (PDA).

Often, the routing algorithm of navigation devices subjects the user tocumbersome and sometimes dangerous directions in light of simpler andsafer choices. In unfamiliar areas, the user has no choice but to endurethe longer travel time and the added dangers without even knowing ofother choices.

Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system to provideinformation with improvement in usability, performance, and accuracy. Inview of the importance of positioning systems in modern life, it isincreasingly critical that answers be found to these problems.

Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developmentshave not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to theseproblems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of operation of a navigationsystem including: identifying a physical location with a location unit;selecting a starting point based on the physical location; selecting astarting point based on the physical location; identifying a destinationlot associated with the destination; and calculating a vehicle travelroute from the starting point to the destination with the vehicle travelroute traversing through the destination lot with a control unit fordisplaying on a device.

The present invention provides a navigation system, including: alocation unit for identifying a physical location; a control unit,coupled to the location unit, for: selecting a starting point based onthe physical location; selecting a destination; identifying adestination lot associated with the destination; and calculating avehicle travel route from the starting point to the destination with thevehicle travel route traversing through the destination lot fordisplaying on a device.

Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements inaddition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elementswill become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of thefollowing detailed description when taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a navigation system with parking lot integrated routingmechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a first example of a display interface of the first device.

FIG. 3 is a second example of the display interface of the first device.

FIG. 4 is a third example of the display interface of the first device.

FIG. 5 is a fourth example of the display interface of the first device.

FIG. 6 is a fifth example of the display interface of the first device.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary block diagram of the navigation system.

FIG. 8 is a control flow of the navigation system.

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the route calculation module of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method of operation of the navigationsystem in a further embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments would be evident based on the presentdisclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the following description, numerous specific details are given toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will beapparent that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, somewell-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are notdisclosed in detail.

The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic andnot to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for theclarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing FIGs.Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease of descriptiongenerally show similar orientations, this depiction in the FIGs. isarbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can be operated inany orientation. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment,second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and arenot intended to have any other significance or provide limitations forthe present invention.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that the format with whichnavigation information is expressed is not critical to some embodimentsof the invention. For example, in some embodiments, navigationinformation is presented in the format of (X, Y), where X and Y are twoordinates that define the geographic location, i.e., a position of auser.

In an alternative embodiment, navigation information is presented bylongitude and latitude related information. In a further embodiment ofthe present invention, the navigation information also includes avelocity element including a speed component and a heading component.

The term “relevant information” referred to herein comprises thenavigation information described as well as information relating topoints of interest to the user, such as local business, hours ofbusinesses, types of businesses, advertised specials, trafficinformation, maps, local events, and nearby community or personalinformation.

The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, ora combination thereof. For example, the software can be machine code,firmware, embedded code, and application software. Also for example, thehardware can be circuitry, processor, computer, integrated circuit,integrated circuit cores, a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), passive devices, or a combinationthereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a navigation system 100 withparking lot integrated routing mechanism in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The navigation system 100 includes a first device 102, suchas a client or a server, connected to a second device 106, such as aclient or server, with a communication path 104, such as a wireless orwired network.

For example, the first device 102 can be of any of a variety of mobiledevices, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, anotebook computer, automotive telematics navigation system, or othermulti-functional mobile communication or entertainment device. The firstdevice 102 can be a standalone device, or can be incorporated with avehicle, for example a car, truck, bus, or train. The first device 102can couple to the communication path 104 to communicate with the seconddevice 106.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is described withthe first device 102 as a mobile computing device, although it isunderstood that the first device 102 can be different types of computingdevices. For example, the first device 102 can also be a nonmobilecomputing device, such as a server, a server farm, or a desktopcomputer.

The second device 106 can be any of a variety of centralized ordecentralized computing devices. For example, the second device 106 canbe a computer, grid computing resources, a virtualized computerresource, cloud computing resource, routers, switches, peer-to-peerdistributed computing devices, or a combination thereof.

The second device 106 can be centralized in a single computer room,distributed across different rooms, distributed across differentgeographical locations, embedded within a telecommunications network.The second device 106 can have a means for coupling with thecommunication path 104 to communicate with the first device 102. Thesecond device 106 can also be a client type device as described for thefirst device 102.

In another example, the first device 102 can be a particularizedmachine, such as a mainframe, a server, a cluster server, rack mountedserver, or a blade server, or as more specific examples, an IBM Systemz10™ Business Class mainframe or a HP ProLiant ML™ server. Yet anotherexample, the second device 106 can be a particularized machine, such asa portable computing device, a thin client, a notebook, a netbook, asmartphone, personal digital assistant, or a cellular phone, and asspecific examples, an Apple iPhone™, Palm Centro™, or Moto Q Global™.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is described withthe second device 106 as a non-mobile computing device, although it isunderstood that the second device 106 can be different types ofcomputing devices. For example, the second device 106 can also be amobile computing device, such as notebook computer, another clientdevice, or a different type of client device. The second device 106 canbe a standalone device, or can be incorporated with a vehicle, forexample a car, truck, bus, or train.

Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 and the first device 102 as end points of thecommunication path 104, although it is understood that the navigationsystem 100 can have a different partition between the first device 102,the second device 106, and the communication path 104. For example, thefirst device 102, the second device 106, or a combination thereof canalso function as part of the communication path 104.

The communication path 104 can be a variety of networks. For example,the communication path 104 can include wireless communication, wiredcommunication, optical, ultrasonic, or the combination thereof.Satellite communication, cellular communication, Bluetooth, InfraredData Association standard (IrDA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), andworldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) are examples ofwireless communication that can be included in the communication path104. Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH),and plain old telephone service (POTS) are examples of wiredcommunication that can be included in the communication path 104.

Further, the communication path 104 can traverse a number of networktopologies and distances. For example, the communication path 104 caninclude direct connection, personal area network (PAN), local areanetwork (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN)or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown a first example of a displayinterface 202 of the first device 102. The display interface 202 canshow a current time 204 or a map 206.

The current time 204 is the present instant in time, represented using aknown convention. The current time 204 can be represented using year,month, day, day of the week, hour, minute, second, fractional second, orcombination thereof. For example, the current time can be March 3, 201013:12:34.5 or 3/3/10 1:12 pm Wednesday.

The map 206 is a representation of a geographic area. For example, themap 206 can represent a layout of a city visually or represent a cityblock with a series of written or audible coordinates, such as GPScoordinates or longitude and latitude, of entities that make up the cityblock. The map 206 can include a path 208, a node 210, a path regulation212, a map entity 214, an enclosed block 216, or combination thereof.

The path 208 is a geographic area designated for travel. For example,the path 208 can be air route, road segment, pedestrian walkway, orhiking trail. The node 210 is an area on the path 208 that allows for atraveler, not shown, to change the direction of travel. For example, thenode 210 can be an intersection, a high way entrance or exit, or wheremultiple trails intersect.

The path regulation 212 is defined as rules governing the travel of aparticular location on the path 208 or the node 210. For example, thepath regulation 212 can be one way, no right turn on red, speed limit,or inbound route.

The map entity 214 is a landmark or location on the map 206. Forexample, the map entity 214 can be a building, a house, a mountain, astore, a school, or a port. The map entity 214 can take up a portion ofthe enclosed block 216 or the enclosed block 216 in entirety. Theenclosed block 216 is a geographic area sectioned or divided. Forexample, the enclosed block 216 can be a city block divided by roads orproperty lots divided by fences or property boarders.

The display interface 202 can overlay a vehicle travel route 218, havinga starting point 220 and a destination 222, on the map 206. The vehicletravel route 218 is a route a vehicle can traverse to get from thestarting point 220 to the destination 222. The starting point 220 is alocation where a vehicle can start travelling. The destination 222 is alocation where a vehicle is designated to finish travelling.

The vehicle travel route 218 can be overlaid by highlighting thestarting point 220, the destination 222, and the path 208 connecting thetwo while displaying the vehicle travel route 218. The vehicle travelroute 218 can also be overlaid by connecting the starting point 220 andthe destination 222 with a line displayed over the path 208 whiledisplaying the vehicle travel route 218.

The starting point 220 and the destination 222 can be a structure, suchas a house or a tower, a location within a structure, such as adesignated seat in a stadium or a specific store in a shopping center.The starting point 220 and the destination 222 can also be a landmark,such as a mountain or a waterfall, or a user-named location, such ashome or work.

A current location 224 is a physical location 225 of the first device102 in relation to the map 206. The current location 224 can bedisplayed on the map 206 if the first device 102 is located in ageographic area represented by the map 206.

The current location 224 can be not displayed or represented as beingoff the map 206 if the first device 102 is located in a geographic areanot represented by the map 206. The details of selecting the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222, and calculating the vehicle travelroute 218 will be discussed below.

The display interface 202 can also display a route distance 226, a routetravel time 228, a departure time 230, an estimated arrival time 232, orcombination thereof. The route distance 226 is the length or the totaldistance of the vehicle travel route 218. The details of calculating theroute distance 226 will be discussed below.

The route travel time 228 is the amount of time needed for traversingthe vehicle travel route 218. The departure time 230 is the timeselected for departing from the starting point 220 to traverse thevehicle travel route 218. The departure time 230 can be the current time204 if the traveler departs right away.

The estimated arrival time 232 is when the traveler should arrive at thedestination 222. The details of calculating the route travel time 228and the estimated arrival time 232, and the details of selecting thedeparture time 230 will be discussed below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown a second example of thedisplay interface 202 of the first device 102. The display interface canshow a start lot 302, access ways 304, a preferred exit-point 306, anorigin-lot hazard 308, and a first route-hazard 310.

The start lot 302 is the enclosed block 216 of FIG. 2 that contains thestarting point 220. For example, the start lot 302 can be theresidential lot of a house or a shopping center and its parking lotcontaining a store as the starting point 220. The details of identifyingthe start lot 302 will be discussed below.

The start lot 302 can have the access ways 304. The access ways 304 arethe geographic areas where vehicles can enter and exit the start lot302. For example, the access ways 304 can be parking lot entrances orexits or airport runways. The preferred exit-point 306 is the accessways 304 the traveler or the navigation system 100 can choose forexiting the start lot 302 in traversing the vehicle travel route 218.The details of selecting the preferred exit-point 306 will be discussedbelow.

The origin-lot hazard 308 is the map entity 214 of FIG. 2 within thestart lot 302 that creates potential a travel hazard for a traveler. Thetraveler should be made aware of the origin-lot hazard 308 whentraveling through the start lot 302. For example, the origin-lot hazard308 can be a day care, which may require the traveler to look forchildren when leaving the start lot 302. Also, for example, theorigin-lot hazard 308 can be a movie theater, which may require thetraveler to navigate around large number of pedestrians and cars leavingand entering parking spots at certain times. The details of identifyingthe origin-lot hazard 308 will be discussed below.

The first route-hazard 310 is the map entity 214 outside andgeographically proximate to the start lot 302 that creates a travelhazard for a traveler. The traveler should be made aware of the firstroute-hazard 310 when traversing the vehicle travel route 218. Forexample, the first route-hazard 310 can be sea-plane landing zone,requiring the boat captains to look out for approaching planes whenleaving the dock. Also, for example, the first route-hazard 310 can be apopular restaurant that causes large amounts of vehicle and pedestriantraffic at certain times of the day. The details of identifying thefirst route-hazard 310 will be discussed below.

The display interface can also show a destination lot 312, a preferredentry point 314, a destination-lot hazard 316, a parking stall 318, anda last route-hazard 320. The destination lot 312 is the enclosed block216 that includes the destination 222. For example, the destination lot312 can be an industrial complex and the associated parking lot,containing an office as the destination 222. Also, for example, thedestination lot 312 can be a wharf or a harbor containing a boat dock asthe destination 222. The details of identifying the destination lot 312will be discussed below.

The destination lot 312 can also have the access ways 304 for enteringand exiting the destination lot 312. The preferred entry point 314 isone of the access ways 304 the traveler can use to enter the destinationlot 312 in traversing the vehicle travel route 218. The details ofselecting the preferred entry point 314 will be discussed below.

The destination-lot hazard 316 is the map entity 214 within thedestination lot 312 that creates a travel hazard for a traveler. Thetraveler should be made aware of the destination-lot hazard 316 whentraveling through the destination lot 312. For example, thedestination-lot hazard 316 can be a building under construction, whichmay increase the likelihood of damage to the vehicle. Also, for example,the destination-lot hazard 316 can be a rock or a buoy in the wharf thatthe vehicle must navigate around. The details of identifying thedestination-lot hazard 316 will be discussed below.

The parking stall 318 is the vehicle storage area closest to thedestination 222. For example, the parking stall 318 can be the openparking area closest to the assigned seats at a baseball game or theairplane stop area in front of the desired gate. The details ofidentifying the parking stall 318 will be discussed below.

The last route-hazard 320 is the map entity 214 geographically proximatethe destination 222 that the traveler should be aware of when traversingthe vehicle travel route 218. For example, the last route-hazard 320 canbe a second airport within 25 miles of a first airport serving as thedestination 222, requiring the pilot to pay attention to the correctflight tower. Also, for example, the last route-hazard 320 can be aschool, requiring the traveler to observe different speed limits duringschool hours. The details of identifying the last route-hazard 320 willbe discussed below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown a third example of the displayinterface 202 of the first device 102. The display interface 202 canshow operation hours 402, a traffic flow rate 404, a suggested leavingtime 406, a future travel duration 408, or a combination thereof.

The operation hours 402 are the times when the destination 222 is openfor receiving visitors or for doing business. For example, the operationhours 402 can be reasonable hours for visiting a residence, such asbetween 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, or store business hours, such as 10:00 amto 5:00 pm. The details of identifying the operation hours 402 will bediscussed below.

The traffic flow rate 404 is defined as the amount of vehicles andpedestrians entering and leaving the destination lot 312 over a certaintime interval, such as each hour or lunch period. For example, thetraffic flow rate 404 can be the actual number of vehicles andpedestrians entering and leaving the destination lot 312 each hour of acalendar day, averaged with same day of the week, month, year, or acombination thereof.

Also, for example, the traffic flow rate 404 can be represented bydesignated levels, such as heavy traffic or minimal traffic, or bypercentage of a known capacity, such as the percentage of occupiedparking spots or percentage of occupancy across all entities in thedestination lot 312. Such representation can be specified for known timeperiods, such as lunch hours or 30 minutes before and after movie startand finish time. The details of identifying the traffic flow rate 404will be discussed below.

The suggested leaving time 406 is a time later than the departure time230 of FIG. 2, when the traveler should have better travel conditionsfor traversing through the destination lot 312, if the traveler departsat the suggested leaving time 406 rather than the departure time 230.Better travel conditions can be an improvement in the traffic flow rate404 or less hazards.

For example, if the vehicle travel route 218 of FIG. 2 for travellingfrom home to a bank, the suggested leaving time 406 can be 10:30 amrather than leaving at 9:00 am. The traveler can avoid the peoplearriving for work at 9:00 am in the destination lot 312 or leaving andarriving for lunch starting at 11:30 am by departing at the suggestedleaving time 406. Also, for example, the suggested leaving time 406 canbe this Thursday if the destination lot 312 has a construction projectfinishing this Wednesday. The details of calculating the suggestedleaving time 406 will be discussed below.

The future travel duration 408 is the time needed to traverse thevehicle travel route 218 of FIG. 2 when the traveler departs at thesuggested leaving time 406. The future travel duration 408 can becalculated similar to the route travel time 228 of FIG. 2. The detailsof calculating the future travel duration 408 will be discussed below.

Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown a fourth example of thedisplay interface 202 of the first device 102. The display interface 202can show a cautionary attention 502, a vehicle damage rate 504, a damagethreshold 506, a damage warning 508, a departure warning 510, a routestart warning 512, an arrival warning 516, an approach warning 514, orcombination thereof.

The cautionary attention 502 is a notice to the traveler of anysituation or entity that requires the traveler to be cautious. Forexample, the cautionary attention 502 can be children playing in thearea, accident up ahead, or delays on the tarmac. Also, for example, thecautionary attention 502 can be anything that requires traveler to becautious, such as reducing speed, proactively looking for kids ordangers, or increase in pedestrian traffic in the vicinity.

The vehicle damage rate 504 is a likelihood of a vehicle being damagedin the destination lot 312. The vehicle damage rate 504 can berepresented using a percentage, number of reported or known damageswithin a given period of time, or through a known scale, such aslow-medium-high or a numeric scale. The damage done to the vehicle caninclude collision, vandalism, theft, number of hazards identified withinthe destination lot 312, or combination thereof.

For example, the vehicle damage rate 504 can be HIGH in alow-medium-high scale if the lot has more collisions and thefts than thesurrounding areas and other comparable areas. Also, for example, thevehicle damage rate 504 can be 5 if there have been three occurrences ofpeople keying a car during the past months and two large pot holes, allwithin the destination lot 312. The details of calculating the vehicledamage rate 504 will be discussed below.

The damage threshold 506 is the point at which the damage warning 508 isgiven to notify the traveler of the vehicle damage rate 504. The damagewarning 508 can be displayed when the vehicle damage rate 504 meets orexceeds the damage threshold 506. For example, the damage warning 508will be displayed if the vehicle damage rate 504 is 4 or higher in a1-10 scale, where 1 denotes the least likely chance of the vehiclereceiving damage, and the damage threshold 506 is 4.

The damage warning 508 is an alert and notification to the traveler ofthe likelihood of damage to the vehicle when the vehicle is in thedestination lot 312. The damage warning 508 can be an auditory cue, suchas a sound or a spoken word, or a visual notification, such as a writtencharacter or an image that can alert the traveler of the likelihood ofdamage. The details of setting the damage threshold 506, comparing thedamage threshold 506 to the vehicle damage rate 504, and displaying thedamage warning 508 will be discussed below.

The departure warning 510 is a way of alerting and notifying thetraveler of the entity or situation the traveler needs to be aware of asthey exit the start lot 302. The departure warning 510 can be thecautionary attention 502 that is at, near to, or associated with theorigin-lot hazard 308. For example, the departure warning 510 can bedisplayed if the departure time 230 of FIG. 2 is near the start time forthe first class at a nearby university, when there is increasedpedestrian traffic coming from the student dorm and through the startlot 302.

The route start warning 512 is a way of alerting and notifying thetraveler of the entity or situation the traveler needs to be aware of asthey start moving away from the start lot 302. The route start warning512 can be the cautionary attention 502 that is at, near to, orassociated with the first route-hazard 310. For example, the route startwarning 512 can be displayed if the departure time 230 is near breakfasttime, when there is increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic near thecafeteria that is adjacent to the start lot 302.

The approach warning 514 is a way of alerting and notifying the travelerof the entity or situation the traveler needs to be aware of as theystart moving towards the destination lot 312. The approach warning 514can be the cautionary attention 502 that is at, near to, or associatedwith the last route-hazard 320. For example, the approach warning 514can be displayed if the departure time 230 is near the start time forthe first class at a university nearby the destination lot 312.

The arrival warning 516 is a way of alerting and notifying the travelerof the entity or situation the traveler needs to be aware of as theyenter the destination lot 312. The arrival warning 516 can be thecautionary attention 502 that is at, near to, or associated with thedestination-lot hazard 316. For example, the arrival warning 516 can bedisplayed if the departure time 230 is near the time when the parentsdrop off their kids at a daycare that is in the destination lot 312,thereby having increased traffic flow and children in the destinationlot 312.

The departure warning 510, the route start warning 512, the approachwarning 514, and the arrival warning 516 can each be an auditory cue,such as a sound or a spoken word, or a visual notification, such as awritten character or an image that can alert the traveler. The detailsof displaying the departure warning 510, the route start warning 512,the approach warning 514, and the arrival warning 516 will be discussedbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 6, therein is shown a fifth example of the displayinterface 202 of the first device 102. The display interface 202 canshow a parking search limit 602, an origin warning zone 604, adestination warning zone 606, a search level 608, a warning timethreshold 610 and a route selection criteria 612.

The parking search limit 602 is the furthest distance the parking stall318 of FIG. 3 can be away from the destination 222. The parking searchlimit 602 can be the limit on the distance that can be used in searchingfor the parking stall 318. For example, the parking search limit 602 canbe specified as 100 meters, within the same lot, or two city blocks. Thesearch for the parking stall 318 will be limited to 100 meters, withinthe same lot, or within two city blocks.

The origin warning zone 604 is the distance limit away from the startingpoint 220 for considering departure related warnings. The origin warningzone 604 can be the limit on the distance from the starting point 220that can be used in searching for the route start warning 512 of FIG. 5.For example, the origin warning zone 604 can be specified as adjacententity. The search for the cautionary attention 502 of FIG. 5 will belimited to originating from the map entity 214 of FIG. 214 that isadjacent to the starting point 220. Also, for example, the search can belimited to distance, such as within 100 meters or two city blocks.

The destination warning zone 606 is the distance limit away from thedestination 222 for considering arrival related warnings. Thedestination warning zone 606 can be the limit on the distance from thedestination 222 that can be used in searching for the approach warning514 of FIG. 5. For example, the destination warning zone 606 can bespecified as two city blocks or 100 meters. The search for thecautionary attention 502 will be limited to within two city blocks or100 meters in every direction away from the destination 222.

The search level 608 is the limit on the iteration for various searches.The search level 608 can define the number of times a search can beconducted in finding a given object. For example, the search level 608can specify that a search will be done every 15 degrees in a radialpattern, every 5 feet in a parallel linear pattern, or 20 repetitions ineven increments over a given area.

The warning time threshold 610 is the proximity limit in time placed onwarning the user. The warning time threshold 610 can limit the departurewarning 510 of FIG. 5, the route start warning 512, or a combinationthereof to be within a certain time period before or after the departuretime 230 of FIG. 2. The warning time threshold 610 can also limit theapproach warning 514, the arrival warning 516 of FIG. 5, or acombination thereof to be within a certain time period or after theestimated arrival time 232 of FIG. 2.

For example, if the warning time threshold 610 is defined as 30 minutes,the route start warning 512 and the departure warning 510 can be limitedto the cautionary attention 502 occurring 30 minutes before or after thedeparture time 230. Also, for example, the approach warning 514 and thearrival warning 516 can be limited to the cautionary attention 502occurring 30 minutes before or after the estimated arrival time 232.

The route selection criteria 612 are the desired characteristics usedfor selecting the vehicle travel route 218 of FIG. 2. The routeselection criteria 612 can include an ordered set of criteria used forselecting the access ways 304 of FIG. 3 or the next segment of the path208 of FIG. 2 at the node 210 of FIG. 2. For example, the routeselection criteria 612 can include characteristics such as availability,path regulation, time, distance, safety, preference, or combinationthereof.

Whenever the navigation system 100 uses the route selection criteria 612to choose, the choice that satisfies the first item in the routeselection criteria 612 can be selected. If all of the choices satisfythe first item, the navigation system 100 can use the next item in theroute selection criteria. The navigation system 100 can repeat suchparsing algorithm until one of the choices is chosen or all of the routeselection criteria 612 are used.

For example, if the route selection criteria 612 are defined as timethen distance, the navigation system 100 can choose the direction thatwill ultimately yield the shortest travel time. However, if goingstraight and turning right at a given intersection yields the sameamount of travel time, the navigation system 100 can choose thedirection that will ultimately yield the shortest travel distance. Theroute selection criteria 612 can have a default choice, such as go rightor first listed choice, for when all of the available choices are equalunder the route selection criteria 612.

The route selection criteria 612 can include different sets of criteriafor selecting the preferred exit-point 306 of FIG. 3, the path 208 ofFIG. 2, and the preferred entry point 314 of FIG. 3. The route selectioncriteria 612 can be determined and ordered by the navigation system 100,the software manufacturer, the user, or combination thereof. The use ofthe route selection criteria 612 will be discussed in detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 7, therein is shown an exemplary block diagram ofthe navigation system 100. The navigation system 100 can include thefirst device 102, the communication path 104, and the second device 106.

The first device 102 can communicate with the second device 106 over thecommunication path 104. For example, the first device 102, thecommunication path 104, and the second device 106 can be the firstdevice 102 of FIG. 1, the communication path 104 of FIG. 1, and thesecond device 106 of FIG. 1, respectively. The screen shot shown on thedisplay interface 202 described in FIG. 2 can represent the screen shotfor the navigation system 100.

The first device 102 can send information in a first device transmission708 over the communication path 104 to the second device 106. The seconddevice 106 can send information in a second device transmission 710 overthe communication path 104 to the first device 102.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is shown with thefirst device 102 as a client device, although it is understood that thenavigation system 100 can have the first device 102 as a different typeof device. For example, the first device 102 can be a server.

Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is shown withthe second device 106 as a server, although it is understood that thenavigation system 100 can have the second device 106 as a different typeof device. For example, the second device 106 can be a client device.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention,the first device 102 will be described as a client device and the seconddevice 106 will be described as a server device. The present inventionis not limited to this selection for the type of devices. The selectionis an example of the present invention.

The first device 102 can include a first control unit 712, a firststorage unit 714, a first communication unit 716, a first user interface718, and a location unit 720. The first device 102 can be similarlydescribed by the first device 102. The first control unit 712 caninclude a first control interface 722. The first storage unit 714 caninclude a first storage interface 724.

The first control unit 712 can execute a first software 726 to providethe intelligence of the navigation system 100. The first control unit712 can operate the first user interface 718 to display informationgenerated by the navigation system 100. The first control unit 712 canalso execute the first software 726 for the other functions of thenavigation system 100, including receiving location information from thelocation unit 720. The first control unit 712 can further execute thefirst software 726 for interaction with the communication path 104 ofFIG. 1 via the first communication unit 716.

The first control unit 712 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the first control unit 712 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, ahardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP),or a combination thereof.

The first control unit 712 can include a first control interface 722.The first control interface 722 can be used for communication betweenthe first control unit 712 and other functional units in the firstdevice 102. The first control interface 722 can also be used forcommunication that is external to the first device 102.

The first control interface 722 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first control interface 722 can be implemented in different ways andcan include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the first controlinterface 722. For example, the first control interface 722 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The first storage unit 714 can store a first software 726. The firststorage unit 714 can also store the relevant information, such asadvertisements, points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, orany combination thereof.

The first storage unit 714 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the first storage unit 714 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The first storage unit 714 can include a first storage interface 724.The first storage interface 724 can be used for communication betweenthe location unit 720 and other functional units in the first device102. The first storage interface 724 can also be used for communicationthat is external to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 724 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The first storage interface 724 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the first storage unit 714. The first storage interface724 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 722.

The first communication unit 716 can enable external communication toand from the first device 102. For example, the first communication unit716 can permit the first device 102 to communicate with the seconddevice 106 of FIG. 1, an attachment, such as a peripheral device or acomputer desktop, and the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 716 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the first device 102 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The first communication unit 716 caninclude active and passive components, such as microelectronics or anantenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The first communication unit 716 can include a first communicationinterface 728. The first communication interface 728 can be used forcommunication between the first communication unit 716 and otherfunctional units in the first device 102. The first communicationinterface 728 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The first communication interface 728 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the first communication unit 716. The first communication interface728 can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control interface 722.

The first user interface 718 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the first device 102. The first user interface 718 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the first user interface 718 can include a keypad, a touchpad,soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or any combination thereof toprovide data and communication inputs.

The first user interface 718 can include a first display interface 730.Examples of the output device of the first user interface 718 caninclude the first display interface 730. The first display interface 730can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, or anycombination thereof.

The location unit 720 can generate location information, currentheading, and current speed of the first device 102, as examples. Thelocation unit 720 can be implemented in many ways. For example, thelocation unit 720 can function as at least a part of a globalpositioning system (GPS), an inertial navigation system, acellular-tower location system, a pressure location system, or anycombination thereof.

The location unit 720 can include a location interface 732. The locationinterface 732 can be used for communication between the location unit720 and other functional units in the first device 102. The locationinterface 732 can also be used for communication that is external to thefirst device 102.

The location interface 732 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the first device 102.

The location interface 732 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the location unit 720. The location interface 732 can beimplemented with technologies and techniques similar to theimplementation of the first control unit 712.

For illustrative purposes, the first device 102 is shown with thepartition having the first control unit 712, the first storage unit 714,the first user interface 718, the first communication unit 716, and thelocation unit 720 although it is understood that the navigation system100 can have a different partition. For example, the first software 726can be partitioned differently such that some or all of its function canbe in the first control unit 712, the location unit 720, and the firstcommunication unit 716. Also, the first device 102 can include otherfunctional units not shown in FIG. 7 for clarity.

The functional units in the first device 102 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The first device 102 canwork individually and independently from the second device 106 and thecommunication path 104.

The second device 106 can be optimized for implementing the presentinvention in a multiple device embodiment with the first device 102. Thesecond device 106 can provide the additional or higher performanceprocessing power compared to the first device 102. The second device 106can include a second control unit 734, a second communication unit 736,and a second user interface 738.

The second user interface 738 allows a user (not shown) to interface andinteract with the second device 106. The second user interface 738 caninclude an input device and an output device. Examples of the inputdevice of the second user interface 738 can include a keypad, atouchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or any combinationthereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examples of the outputdevice of the second user interface 738 can include a second displayinterface 740. The second display interface 740 can include a display, aprojector, a video screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof.

The second control unit 734 can execute a second software 742 to providethe intelligence of the second device 106 of the navigation system 100.The second software 742 can operate in conjunction with the firstsoftware 726. The second control unit 734 can provide additionalperformance compared to the first control unit 712.

The second control unit 734 can operate the second user interface 738 todisplay information. The second control unit 734 can also execute thesecond software 742 for the other functions of the navigation system100, including operating the second communication unit 736 tocommunicate with the first device 102 over the communication path 104.

The second control unit 734 can be implemented in a number of differentmanners. For example, the second control unit 734 can be a processor, anembedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, ahardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP),or a combination thereof.

The second control unit 734 can include a second controller interface744. The second controller interface 744 can be used for communicationbetween the second control unit 734 and other functional units in thesecond device 106. The second controller interface 744 can also be usedfor communication that is external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 744 can receive information from theother functional units or from external sources, or can transmitinformation to the other functional units or to external destinations.The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources anddestinations external to the second device 106.

The second controller interface 744 can be implemented in different waysand can include different implementations depending on which functionalunits or external units are being interfaced with the second controllerinterface 744. For example, the second controller interface 744 can beimplemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, amicroelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides,wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit 746 can store the second software 742. The secondstorage unit 746 can also store the relevant information, such asadvertisements, points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, orany combination thereof. The second storage unit 746 can be sized toprovide the additional storage capacity to supplement the first storageunit 714.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit 746 is shown as asingle element, although it is understood that the second storage unit746 can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrativepurposes, the navigation system 100 is shown with the second storageunit 746 as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understoodthat the navigation system 100 can have the second storage unit 746 in adifferent configuration. For example, the second storage unit 746 can beformed with different storage technologies forming a memory hierarchalsystem including different levels of caching, main memory, rotatingmedia, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit 746 can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatilememory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combinationthereof. For example, the second storage unit 746 can be a nonvolatilestorage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory,disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory(SRAM).

The second storage unit 746 can include a second storage interface 748.The second storage interface 748 can be used for communication betweenthe location unit 720 and other functional units in the second device106. The second storage interface 748 can also be used for communicationthat is external to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 748 can receive information from the otherfunctional units or from external sources, or can transmit informationto the other functional units or to external destinations. The externalsources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinationsexternal to the second device 106.

The second storage interface 748 can include different implementationsdepending on which functional units or external units are beinginterfaced with the second storage unit 746. The second storageinterface 748 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 744.

The second communication unit 736 can enable external communication toand from the second device 106. For example, the second communicationunit 736 can permit the second device 106 to communicate with the firstdevice 102 over the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can also function as a communicationhub allowing the second device 106 to function as part of thecommunication path 104 and not limited to be an end point or terminalunit to the communication path 104. The second communication unit 736can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics oran antenna, for interaction with the communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can include a second communicationinterface 750. The second communication interface 750 can be used forcommunication between the second communication unit 736 and otherfunctional units in the second device 106. The second communicationinterface 750 can receive information from the other functional units orcan transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface 750 can include differentimplementations depending on which functional units are being interfacedwith the second communication unit 736. The second communicationinterface 750 can be implemented with technologies and techniquessimilar to the implementation of the second controller interface 744.

The first communication unit 716 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the second device 106 in the first devicetransmission 708. The second device 106 can receive information in thesecond communication unit 736 from the first device transmission 708 ofthe communication path 104.

The second communication unit 736 can couple with the communication path104 to send information to the first device 102 in the second devicetransmission 710. The first device 102 can receive information in thefirst communication unit 716 from the second device transmission 710 ofthe communication path 104. The navigation system 100 can be executed bythe first control unit 712, the second control unit 734, or acombination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the second device 106 is shown with thepartition having the second user interface 738, the second storage unit746, the second control unit 734, and the second communication unit 736,although it is understood that the second device 106 can have adifferent partition. For example, the second software 742 can bepartitioned differently such that some or all of its function can be inthe second control unit 734 and the second communication unit 736. Also,the second device 106 can include other functional units not shown inFIG. 7 for clarity.

The functional units in the second device 106 can work individually andindependently of the other functional units. The second device 106 canwork individually and independently from the first device 102 and thecommunication path 104.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system 100 is described byoperation of the first device 102 and the second device 106. It isunderstood that the first device 102 and the second device 106 canoperate any of the modules and functions of the navigation system 100.For example, the first device 102 is described to operate the locationunit 720, although it is understood that the second device 106 can alsooperate the location unit 720.

Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown a control flow of thenavigation system 100. The navigation system 100 can include an endpointidentification module 802, a storage lot module 804, a co-tenant module806, a neighbor module 808, a route calculation module 810, and awarning module 812.

The endpoint identification module 802 can be coupled to the storage lotmodule 804, which can be coupled to the co-tenant module 806. Theco-tenant module 806 can be coupled to the neighbor module 808, whichcan be coupled to the route calculation module 810. The routecalculation module 810 can be coupled to the warning module 812.

The purpose of the endpoint identification module 802 is to locate thebeginning and the end of the vehicle travel route 218 of FIG. 2. Theendpoint identification module 802 can locate the beginning and the endof the vehicle travel route 218 by selecting and locating the startingpoint 220 of FIG. 2 and the destination 222 of FIG. 2. The endpointidentification module 802 can include a route start module 814 and aroute destination module 816.

The purpose of the route start module 814 is to locate the beginning ofthe vehicle travel route 218. The route start module 814 selects thestarting point 220. The route start module 814 can select the startingpoint 220 by identifying the physical location 225 of FIG. 2 where thevehicle travel route 218 will start. The route start module 814 canselect the starting point 220 using identification for the physicallocation 225.

The physical location 225 can be identified by an address, a set ofcoordinates, a name, or combination thereof. For example, the routestart module 814 can select the address of the user's employer as thestarting point 220 if the user needs to go to a meeting at the vendor'soffice. Also, for example, the route start module 814 can select thecurrent location of the first device 102 of FIG. 7 using thecoordinates, such as GPS coordinates or longitude and latitude,identified by the location unit 720 of FIG. 7.

The route start module 814 can use the second control unit 734 of FIG.7, the second storage unit 746 of FIG. 7, or the location unit 720 toidentify the physical location 225. The route start module 814 can usethe first control unit 712 of FIG. 7 or the second control unit 734 toselect the starting point 220.

The purpose of the route destination module 816 is to locate thedestination 222 of the vehicle travel route 218. The route destinationmodule 816 selects the destination 222. The route destination module 816can select the destination 222 by identifying a different instance ofthe physical location 225 where the vehicle travel route 218 will end.The route destination module 816 can select the destination 222 using anidentification for the different instance of the physical location 225.

For example, the route destination module 816 can select the node 210 ofFIG. 2, such as Fourth and Broadway, as the destination 222. Also, forexample, the route destination module 816 can select the destination 222from a name, such as Madison Square Garden™ or home, or a category, suchas a grocery store or a vehicle mechanic.

The route destination module 816 can use the second control unit 734 ofFIG. 7 and the second storage unit 746 of FIG. 7, or the first controlunit 712 of FIG. 7 and the first storage unit 714 of FIG. 7 to identifythe different instance of the physical location 225. The routedestination module 816 can use the first control unit 712 or the secondcontrol unit 734 to select the starting point 220.

The purpose of the storage lot module 804 is to find the details of thearea associated with the starting point 220 and the destination 222,such as a parking lot or the property boundary. The storage lot module804 can find the details of the area around the starting point 220 andthe destination 222 by identifying the start lot 302 of FIG. 3 and thedestination lot 312 of FIG. 3. The storage lot module 804 can include adeparture lot module 818, an arrival lot module 820, an access pointmodule 822, and a vehicle storage module 824.

The purpose of the departure lot module 818 is to find the details ofthe area around the starting point 220. The departure lot module 818identifies the start lot 302 associated with the starting point 220. Thedeparture lot module 818 can identify the start lot 302 by locating theboundary of the property lot where the starting point 220 is located orby locating associated areas, such as parking structures.

The departure lot module 818 can locate the boundary of the lot byidentifying the address of the starting point 220 and searching thepublic record to find the property lot where the starting point 220 islocated. The departure lot module 818 can identify the address of thestarting point 220 from a list matching coordinates and locationidentifiers to an address.

The departure lot module 818 can identify the jurisdiction, such as acountry, state, city, or county, covering the starting point 220 usingthe address or the coordinates of the starting point 220. The departurelot module 818 can identify the governing entity from a list matchingeither the coordinates or the address to a jurisdiction.

The departure lot module 818 can search the public records of thejurisdiction to find the boundaries defining the property where thestarting point 220 is located. The departure lot module 818 can searchthe public record by starting from the beginning of the record andlooking for an address that is equivalent to the address of the startingpoint 220. The search method can include algorithms such as linear andbinary search algorithms. The departure lot module 818 can identify theproperty lot in the public records matching the address of the startingpoint 220 as the start lot 302.

The departure lot module 818 can also start from the starting point 220on the map 206 of FIG. 2 and move in one direction until a divisionalmarker, such as a street, river, or a boarder, is found. The departurelot module 818 can repeat this search in different directions to findthe divisional markers defining the area where the starting point 220 islocated. The number of searches in different directions or the incrementcan be defined by the search level 608 of FIG. 6. The departure lotmodule 818 can identify the area where the starting point 220 is locatedas the start lot 302.

The departure lot module 818 can also search for descriptions from theoperators of the starting point 220, such as a webpage or recordedmessages, to find areas associated with the starting point 220. Thedeparture lot module 818 can extract the name identifying the startingpoint 220, such as Disneyland™, using a list matching addresses orcoordinates to establishment names.

The departure lot module 818 can search other public records, such asthe World Wide Web or the phone listings, for messages with its ownersmatching the name of the starting point 220. The departure lot module818 can receive the location information of the starting point 220 fromthe message. For example, the departure lot module 818 can find thewebpage of the starting point 220 and extract the location and shape ofthe plaza where the starting point 220 is located from the directions,location, and parking lot information listed in the webpage to identifythe start lot 302.

The departure lot module 818 can use the second control unit 734 and thesecond storage unit 746, or the location unit 720 to identify theaddress of the starting point 220. The departure lot module 818 can usethe first control unit 712 or the second control unit 734 to search forand identify the start lot 302.

The purpose of the arrival lot module 820 is to find the details of thearea around the destination 222. The arrival lot module 820 identifiesthe destination lot 312 associated with the destination 222. The arrivallot module 820 can operate like the departure lot module 818 by locatingthe boundary of the property lot where the destination 222 is located.

The methods for locating the boundary of the property lot where thedestination 222 is located can be the same as that of the departure lotmodule 818. The arrival lot module 820 can identify the property lot inthe public records matching the address of the destination 222 as thedestination lot 312.

The arrival lot module 820 can also search for divisional markers on themap 206 or for descriptions from the operators of the destination 222 inthe same way as the departure lot module 818. The arrival lot module 820can identify the destination lot 312 as the area on the map 206enclosing the destination 222 or as the area defined by the operator ofthe destination 222.

The purpose of the arrival lot module 820 is also to calculate thevehicle damage rate 504 of FIG. 5 of the destination lot 312. Thearrival lot module 820 can log traffic accidents or various vehicledamages, such as paint damage from vandalism or ship hull damage due topoorly maintained dock. The arrival lot module 820 can calculate thevehicle damage rate 504 based on the number of such damages within apreselected period of time.

For example, the vehicle damage rate 504 can be 2 if the arrival lotmodule 820 has logged two incidents of pedestrians scratching a parkedvehicle in the destination lot 312 within the last month. Also forexample, the vehicle damage rate 504 can be LOW if the arrival lotmodule 820 has logged only one incident of vehicle damage within thelast six months and the threshold for LOW is defined as 3 incidents orlower. The thresholds for different classifications can be predeterminedby the navigation system 100, the software manufacturer, the user, orcombination thereof.

The arrival lot module 820 can also access a data base, such as policerecords, government agency records, or records kept by property ownersto access incidents of vehicle damage. The arrival lot module 820 cancalculate the vehicle damage rate 504 based on a predetermined length ofperiod as described above.

The arrival lot module 820 can also calculate the vehicle damage rate504 by dividing the total number of incidents associated with theproperty by a unit of time. For example, the destination lot 312 thathas had 12 incidents of vehicle damage over ten years can have thevehicle damage rate 504 of 1.2 incidents per year.

The arrival lot module 820 can identify the operation hours 402 of FIG.4 and the traffic flow rate 404 of vehicles traveling through thedestination lot 312. The arrival lot module 820 can identify theoperation hours 402 by identifying the earliest opening time amongst theestablishments within the destination lot 312 on the day having thedeparture time 230. The arrival lot module can also identify theoperation hours 402 by identifying the earliest closing time amongst theestablishments within the destination lot 312 for the applicable day.

For example, if the destination lot 312 has the earliest store openingtime of 6:00 AM and the latest store closing of 9:00 PM amongst all ofthe stores within the destination lot 312, the operation hours 402 willbe from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. The arrival lot module 820 can obtain theoperating hours of the individual establishments by querying theestablishments, extracting them from publically available information,such as websites, or extracting from a database.

The arrival lot module 820 can identify the traffic flow rate 404 ofFIG. 4 by querying the owner or management of the destination lot 312 orby extracting from a database. The arrival lot module 820 can alsoidentify the traffic flow rate 404 by counting the number of vehiclesentering and leaving the destination lot 312. The total count of vehicleingress and egress can be used to calculate the traffic flow rate 404based on the intervals used to calculate the rate, such as hour, lunchtime, or traffic time.

The arrival lot module 820 can use the first control unit 712 and thefirst storage unit 714, the second control unit 734 and the secondstorage unit 746, or the location unit 720 to identify the address ofthe destination 222. The arrival lot module 820 can use the firstcontrol unit 712 or the second control unit 734 to search for andidentify the destination lot 312.

The purpose of the access point module 822 is to locate entrances andexits belonging to the start lot 302 and the destination lot 312. Theaccess point module 822 locates the access ways 304 of FIG. 3 at thestart lot 302 and the destination lot 312.

The access point module 822 can locate the access ways 304 by searchingthe map 206. The access point module 822 can start from a point on theboundary of the start lot 302 or the destination lot 312 on the map 206and move in one direction until there is an area where vehicles canenter or exit. The access ways 304 can be the area where vehicles canenter or exit the start lot 302 or the destination lot 312, such as agate or a runway.

The access point module 822 can locate the access ways 304 also byreceiving information regarding the access ways 304 from operators ofthe start lot 302 or the destination lot 312. The access point module822 can search for messages from the operators of the start lot 302 orthe destination lot 312 in the same way as the departure lot module 818and the arrival lot module 820. The access point module 822 can receivethe information regarding the location of the access ways 304 from themessages of the operators of the start lot 302 or the destination lot312.

The access point module 822 can use the first control unit 712 and thefirst storage unit 714 to select the starting point 220 to locate theaccess ways 304. The access point module 822 can also use the secondcontrol unit 734 and the second storage unit 746 to locate the accessways 304.

The purpose of the vehicle storage module 824 is to locate a place forstoring the vehicle upon arriving at the destination lot 312. Thevehicle storage module 824 identifies the parking stall 318 of FIG. 3within the destination lot 312 with a distance between the destination222 and the parking stall 318 is the minimal.

The vehicle storage module 824 can identify the parking stall 318 byidentifying areas where a vehicle can be stored and identifying thenearest available storage area. The vehicle storage module 824 canidentify areas for vehicle storage by searching the map 206 or byreceiving vehicle storage information from the operators of thedestination lot 312.

The vehicle storage module 824 can start from the destination 222 andsearch in one direction until an area for storing vehicles, the parkingsearch limit 602 of FIG. 6, or the boundary of the destination lot 312is found. An area for storing vehicles can be designated for storingvehicles by the operator of the destination lot 312 or can be an areathat is not occupied by a physical structure, such as a building or asidewalk, which is not used as a throughway for vehicles.

The vehicle storage module 824 can repeat the search in differentdirections. The total number of the search or the increments of thedirections can be specified by the search level 608. Each time an areafor storing vehicles is found, the vehicle storage module 824 cancalculate the distance between the destination 222 and the found area.The distance can be calculated by measuring the distance between thedestination 222 and the found area on the map 206 and multiplying thedistance by a scale factor used by the map.

The vehicle storage module 824 can also calculate the distance betweenthe destination 222 and the found area by using the coordinates for thedestination 222 and the found area. The vehicle storage module 824 canutilize the formula or table associated with each coordinate system forcalculating the distance between coordinates. The distance can be alonga straight line between the two points or along a line where a personcan travel, such as open space or a sidewalk.

The vehicle storage module 824 can store the first found vehicle storagearea as the parking stall 318 and repeat the search in a differentdirection. When a different vehicle storage area is found, the vehiclestorage module 824 can compare the distance of the parking stall 318 tothe distance of the newly found area and store the location with theshorter distance as the parking stall 318.

The vehicle storage module 824 can repeat the search as specified by thesearch level 608, such as every 10 degrees or along North, East, South,and West. The search level 608 can be predetermined by the navigationsystem 100, the user, or the software manufacturer. The search can berepeated in a sequential order until the original direction is reached.

If the search level 608 indicates a number for repetition, the incrementcan be determined by dividing the total directions by the number ofrepetition. For example, if the search level 608 specifies fourrepetitions, the increment can be 90 degrees in a 360 degree system.

The vehicle storage module 824 can also search in a different method.For example, the vehicle storage module 824 can find the most northernpoint of the boundary of the destination lot 312. The vehicle storagemodule 824 can move south from the northern most point by the incrementspecified by the search level 608, such as seven feet, and search for anarea available for storing a vehicle in an east-west direction until theboundaries are found. The east-west direction search between theboundaries can be repeated every increment until the most southern pointof the boundary of the destination lot 312 is reached.

The vehicle storage module 824 can operate differently to find theparking stall 318. For example, the vehicle storage module 824 can startby searching in different directions as previously described and storingall available vehicle storage areas. The vehicle storage module 824 canmeasure the distance between the destination 222 and each availablevehicle storage areas. The vehicle storage module 824 can compare thedistances and identify the parking stall 318 as the area having theshortest distance to the destination 222.

The vehicle storage module 824 can also identify areas for vehiclestorage by receiving vehicle storage information from the operators ofthe destination lot 312. The vehicle storage module 824 can receive thevehicle storage information can be received in the same way as describedin identifying the start lot 302 and the destination lot 312. Forexample, the vehicle storage module 824 can obtain the location of allparking lots, or the location or name of all open parking spaces fromthe operator of the destination lot.

The vehicle storage module 824 can calculate the distance between theobtained parking areas. The vehicle storage module 824 can compare thedistances and identify the closest area as the parking stall 318.

The vehicle storage module 824 can use the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734 to identify the parking stall 318. The vehiclestorage module 824 can use the first control unit 712 along with thesecond control unit 734 and the second storage unit 746 to identify theparking stall 318.

The purpose of the co-tenant module 806 is to identify any establishmentor structure within the start lot 302 or the destination lot 312 thatrequires the traveler to be cautious. The co-tenant module 806 caninclude an origin-hazard module 826 and a destination-hazard module 828.

The purpose of the origin-hazard module 826 is to identify anyestablishment or structure within the start lot 302 that requires thetraveler to be cautious. The origin-hazard module 826 identifies theorigin-lot hazard 308 of FIG. 3 within the start lot 302 and theorigin-lot hazard 308 requires the cautionary attention 502 of FIG. 5.

The origin-hazard module 826 can identify the origin-lot hazard 308 bysearching within the start lot 302 for the map entity 214 of FIG. 2 thathas the cautionary attention 502 near the departure time 230 of FIG. 2.The origin-hazard module 826 can start from the starting point 220 andsearch in one direction until the map entity 214 or the boundary of thestart lot 302 is found.

The origin-hazard module 826 can repeat the search in differentdirections, changing the directions determined by the search level 608.The search methods of the origin-hazard module 826 can be the same asthe vehicle storage module 824 searching for the parking stall 318.

After locating the map entity 214, the origin-hazard module 826 cansearch for the cautionary attention 502 tied to the map entity 214 inthe same way as the vehicle storage module 824 searching for availablestorages areas for the vehicle. The cautionary attention 502 can be tiedto the map entity 214 by the user, the navigation system 100, softwaremanufacturer, the map entity 214, or a combination thereof.

The origin-hazard module 826 can obtain the time associated to thecautionary attention 502 and compare it to the departure time 230. Thecautionary attention 502 is near the departure time 230 if the two occurwithin the warning time threshold 610 of FIG. 6. The cautionaryattention 502 can be determined as near the departure time 230 when thedifference in time between the two events is less than or equal to thetime period specified in the warning time threshold 610.

The warning time threshold 610, such as 30 minutes or before the end ofday, can be predetermined by the user, the navigation system 100,software manufacturer, the map entity 214, or a combination thereof. Theorigin-hazard module 826 can identify the map entity 214 within thestart lot 302 that has the cautionary attention 502 occurring near thedeparture time 230 as the origin-lot hazard 308.

The origin-hazard module 826 can use the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734 to identify the origin-lot hazard 308. Theorigin-hazard module 826 can also use the first control unit 712 alongwith the second control unit 734 and the second storage unit 746 toidentify the origin-lot hazard 308.

The purpose of the destination-hazard module 828 is to identify anyestablishment or structure within the destination lot 312 that requiresthe traveler to be cautious. The destination-hazard module 828identifies the destination-lot hazard 316 of FIG. 3, where thedestination-lot hazard 316 is within the destination lot 312 and thedestination-lot hazard 316 requires the cautionary attention 502.

The destination-hazard module 828 can identify the destination-lothazard 316 by searching for the map entity 214 within the destinationlot 312 having the cautionary attention 502 occurring near the estimatedarrival time 232 of FIG. 2. The search for the map entity 214, andsearch for the cautionary attention 502 tied to the map entity 214 canbe similar to the origin-hazard module 826. The time associated to thecautionary attention 502 can be compared to the estimated arrival time232 in the same way as the comparison made to the departure time 230 inthe origin-hazard module 826.

The origin-hazard module 826 can use the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734 to identify the destination-lot hazard 316. Theorigin-hazard module 826 can also use the first control unit 712 alongwith the second control unit 734 and the second storage unit 746 toidentify the destination-lot hazard 316.

The purpose of the neighbor module 808 is to identify any establishmentor structure near the start lot 302 and the destination lot 312 thatrequires the traveler to be cautious. The neighbor module 808 caninclude a near-origin hazard module 830 and a near-destination hazardmodule 832.

The purpose of the near-origin hazard module 830 is to identify anyestablishment or structure near the start lot 302. The near-originhazard module 830 can identify the first route-hazard 310 of FIG. 3geographically near the near the start lot 302 and the firstroute-hazard 310 requires the cautionary attention 502.

The near-origin hazard module 830 can identify the first route-hazard310 by searching the area surrounding the start lot 302 for the mapentity 214 that has the cautionary attention 502 near in time to thedeparture time 230. The near-origin hazard module 830 can start from thestart lot 302 and search in one direction until the map entity 214 isfound or until the origin warning zone 604 of FIG. 6 is reached. Thesearch can be limited to a predetermined amount of time, such as 5minutes, before and after the departure time 230.

The near-origin hazard module 830 can repeat the search in differentdirections, changing the direction in increments determined by thesearch level 608. The search methods of the near-origin hazard module830 can be the same as the vehicle storage module 824 searching for theparking stall 318.

The near-origin hazard module 830 can use the origin warning zone 604 asthe distance limit for searching the map entity 214. Same as theboundary of the start lot 302 ending the search for the map entity 214,the near-origin hazard module 830 can end the search after reaching theend of the origin warning zone 604.

The origin warning zone 604 can be the threshold defining the map entity214 that is geographically near the start lot 302. For example, the mapentity within 25 miles of or that is adjacent to the start lot 302 canbe defined as being near. The user, the navigation system 100, softwaremanufacturer, or combination thereof can define the distance forconsidering the map entity 214 as being near.

After locating the map entity 214, the near-origin hazard module 830 cansearch for and obtain the cautionary attention 502 tied to the mapentity 214 in the same way as the origin-hazard module 826. Thenear-origin hazard module 830 can compare the time associated with thecautionary attention 502 and the departure time 230 to determine if theyare near each other in the same way as the origin-hazard module 826.

The near-origin hazard module 830 can use the first control unit 712 orthe second control unit 734 to identify the first route-hazard 310. Thenear-origin hazard module 830 can use the first control unit 712 alongwith the second control unit 734 and the second storage unit 746 toidentify the first route-hazard 310.

The purpose of the near-destination hazard module 832 is to identify anyestablishment or structure near the destination lot 312. Thenear-destination hazard module 832 identifies the last route-hazard 320of FIG. 3 geographically near the destination lot 312 and the lastroute-hazard 320 requires the cautionary attention 502.

The near-destination hazard module 832 can search geographic areasurrounding the destination lot 312 to find the map entity 214 in thesame way as the near-origin hazard module 830 using the destinationwarning zone 606 of FIG. 6 as the limit. The near-destination hazardmodule 832 can search for the cautionary attention 502 tied to the mapentity 214 in the same way as the origin-hazard module 826.

The near-destination hazard module 832 can also compare the timeassociated with the cautionary attention 502 and the estimated arrivaltime 232 to determine if they are near in time to each other in the sameway as the origin-hazard module 826 compares the time associated withthe cautionary attention 502 and the departure time 230. Thenear-destination hazard module 832 can identify the map entity 214,having the cautionary attention 502 occurring near the estimated arrivaltime 232, near the destination lot 312 as the last route-hazard 320.

The near-destination hazard module 832 can use the first control unit712 or the second control unit 734 to identify the last route-hazard320. The near-destination hazard module 832 can use the first controlunit 712 along with the second control unit 734 and the second storageunit 746 to identify the last route-hazard 320.

The purpose of the route calculation module 810 is to calculate thevehicle travel route 218. The details of the operations of the routecalculation module 810 will be discussed below.

The purpose of the warning module 812 is to alert the user of thelocations that require the traveler to be cautious and what to becautious of. The warning module 812 can include a harm threshold module834 and a caution display module 836.

The purpose of the harm threshold module 834 is to determine when thedestination lot 312 is dangerous enough for a warning should be issued.The harm threshold module 834 sets the damage threshold 506 of FIG. 5.

The harm threshold module 834 can set the damage threshold 506 bysearching and obtaining the likelihood of damage belonging to the mapentity 214 within a certain distance from the destination lot 312. Thedistance limit such as 1 kilometer, same postal grouping, or within twocity blocks, can be predetermined by the user, software manufacturer,the navigation system 100, or a combination thereof.

The harm threshold module 834 can average the likelihood of damage foundin areas within the distance limit. The damage threshold 506 can be apercentage determination of the average. For example, the damagethreshold 506 can be set to the average or 10% above the average. Thepercentage relationship between the average and the damage threshold 506can be predetermined by the user, software manufacturer, the navigationsystem 100 or combination thereof.

The harm threshold module 834 can set the damage threshold 506 indifferent ways. For example, the harm threshold module 834 can refer toa table having different levels of thresholds for different types ofdestinations. The harm threshold module 834 can start from the beginningof the table and search for a type of name matching that of thedestination 222 and determine the associated value as the damagethreshold 506. The table can be predetermined by the user, softwaremanufacturer, the navigation system 100, or combination thereof. Also,for example, the harm threshold module 834 can query the user to set thedamage threshold 506.

The harm threshold module 834 can use the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734 to set the damage threshold 506 or identify thecautionary attention 502. The harm threshold module 834 can also use thefirst control unit 712 along with the second control unit 734 and thesecond storage unit 746 to set the damage threshold 506 or identify thecautionary attention 502.

The purpose of the caution display module 836 is to alert the user ofthe locations along the vehicle travel route 218 the traveler should becautious. The caution display module 836 can generate the warnings whenthe vehicle travel route 218 is first displayed, during travel, when thetraveler is within a predetermined distance from the location of thecautionary attention 502, or combination thereof.

The caution display module 836 can generate the damage warning 508 ofFIG. 5 based on the vehicle damage rate 504 of FIG. 5 meeting orexceeding the damage threshold 506. The caution display module 836 canlay the damage warning 508 over the map 206 in the same location as thedestination lot 312.

The caution display module 836 can generate the damage warning 508 whenthe vehicle travel route 218 is first displayed, when the traveler iswithin a predetermined distance to the destination lot 312, orcombination thereof. The distance away from the destination lot 312 forgenerate the vehicle damage rate 504 can be predetermined by the user,software manufacturer, the navigation system 100, or combinationthereof.

The caution display module 836 can also generate the departure warning510 of FIG. 5, the route start warning 512 of FIG. 5, the approachwarning 514 of FIG. 5, the arrival warning 516 of FIG. 5, or combinationthereof based on a time of day when the cautionary attention 502 isrequired.

The caution display module 836 can identify the cautionary attention 502when the map entity 214 does not provide one. The caution display module836 can identify the name or the type belonging to the map entity 214from the map 206 of FIG. 2. The harm threshold module can search thepredetermined table for the type or name of the map entity 214 anddetermine the associated event as the cautionary attention 502.

For example, if a particular school does not provide the cautionaryattention 502, the caution display module 836 can identify the name orthey type of school, such as elementary or special education. Thecaution display module 836 search the table predetermined by the user,the software manufacturer, the navigation system 100, or combinationthereof, to find the name or the type of school. The caution displaymodule 836 can determine the starting or ending time of a class, lunchtime, or a school activity as the time of day when the cautionaryattention 502 is required.

The caution display module 836 can generate the various warnings, suchas the departure warning 510 or the approach warning 514, when thedeparture time 230 and the vehicle travel route 218 is being calculated.The various warnings can be considered in determining the departure time230 and the vehicle travel route 218. The details of the considerationwill be discussed below.

The caution display module 836 can also generate the various warnings asthe traveler approaches the map entity 214 having the associatedwarning. The required proximity for generate each warning can bepredetermined by the software manufacturer, the navigation system 100,the user, or combination thereof.

For example, the caution display module 836 can generate the departurewarning 510 when the traveler is within a certain distance, such as 100feet, of the origin-lot hazard 308, or within the boundaries of thestart lot 302. Also, for example, the caution display module 836 cangenerate the approach warning 514 when the traveler is within a certaindistance, such as 1 mile or within two blocks, of the last route-hazard320.

The caution display module 836 can use the first control unit 712 or thesecond control unit 734 to locate where to place the relevant warning.The caution display module 836 can use the first control unit 712 alongwith the location unit 720 of FIG. 7 and the first display interface 730of FIG. 7 or the second display interface 740 of FIG. 7 to generate thewarning.

The endpoint identification module 802 can select the starting point 220and the destination 222 using the first control unit 712 and the firststorage unit 714. The address or coordinates representing the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222 can be utilized to access thecorresponding locations on the map 206 stored in the first storage unit714. The endpoint identification module 802 can display the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222, along with the map 206, through thefirst display interface 730.

Alternatively, the endpoint identification module 802 can select thestarting point 220 and the destination 222 using the second control unit734 and the second storage unit 746. The address or coordinatesrepresenting the starting point 220 and the destination 222 can beutilized to access the corresponding locations on the map 206 stored inthe second storage unit 746. The endpoint identification module 802 candisplay the starting point 220 and the destination 222, along with themap 206, through the second display interface 740.

The endpoint identification module 802 can alternatively utilize acombination of the first device 102 and the second device 106. Forexample, the address or coordinates representing the starting point 220and the destination 222 can be stored in the first storage unit 714 butcompared to the map 206 stored in the second storage unit 746. The firstcontrol unit 712 and the second control unit 734 can be linked throughthe first communication unit 716, the communication path 104, and thesecond communication unit 736. The two locations can be displayed on thefirst display interface 730, the second display interface 740, or both.

Also for example, the first device 102 can identify the starting point220 while the second device 106 can identify the destination 222. Thefirst display interface 730 can display the starting point 220 while thesecond display interface 740 displays the destination 222.

The storage lot module 804 can identify the start lot 302 and thedestination lot 312 in the same way as the endpoint identificationmodule 802 identifying the starting point 220 and the destination 222describe above. The co-tenant module 806 can identify the origin-lothazard 308 and the destination-lot hazard 316 in the same way as theendpoint identification module 802 identifying the starting point 220and the destination 222 describe above.

The neighbor module 808 can identify the first route-hazard 310 and thelast route-hazard 320 in the same way as the endpoint identificationmodule 802 identifying the starting point 220 and the destination 222describe above. The warning module 812 can display the various warnings,such as the cautionary attention 502 or the damage warning 508, in thesame way as the endpoint identification module 802 displays the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222.

Referring now to FIG. 9, therein is shown a detailed view of the routecalculation module 810 of FIG. 8. The purpose of the route calculationmodule 810 is to determine a route for travelling from one location toanother. The route calculation module 810 can calculate the vehicletravel route 218 of FIG. 2. The route calculation module 810 can includea map module 902, a route builder module 904, and a departure-timeselection module 906.

The map module 902 can be coupled to the route builder module 904. Theroute builder module can be coupled to the departure-time selectionmodule 906.

The purpose of the map module 902 is to locate and display the map 206of FIG. 2. The map module 902 can locate the map 206 by locating an areamap that has the starting point 220 of FIG. 2 and the destination 222 ofFIG. 2. The navigation system 100 can store different area maps, whichthe map module 902 can access to locate an area map that has thestarting point 220 and the destination 222.

The map module 902 can determine the geographic area map having thestarting point 220 and the destination 222 as the map 206. The mapmodule 902 can display the map 206 on the display interface 202 of FIG.2. The map module 902 can also mark the locations of the starting point220 and the destination 222 on the map 206. The map module 902 can markthe locations by overlaying a designated marking, such as a label, dot,shape, arrow, or combination thereof, over the location of the desiredpoints on the map 206.

For example, the map 206 can be the area map of United States or NorthAmerica when the destination 222 is in New York State and the startingpoint 220 is in California. The map module 902 can mark the destination222 within the state of New York and the starting point 220 withinCalifornia accordingly. Also, for example, if the starting point 220 andthe destination 222 is within a couple of city blocks, the map 206 canbe a portion of the street level map that contains both the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222 and mark the two locations.

The map module 902 can use the first storage unit 714 of FIG. 7 or thesecond storage unit 746 of FIG. 7 to store the different area maps. Themap module 902 can use the first control unit 712 of FIG. 7, the secondcontrol unit 734 of FIG. 7, or combination thereof to access the areamaps and determine the map 206. The map module 902 can also use thefirst control unit 712 and the first display interface 730 of FIG. 7 orthe second control unit 734 of FIG. 7 and the second display interface740 of FIG. 7 to display the map 206.

The purpose of the route builder module 904 is to determine the desiredroute for going from the starting point 220 to the destination 222. Theroute builder module 904 can calculate the vehicle travel route 218 fromthe starting point 220 to the destination 222 with the vehicle travelroute 218 traversing through the start lot 302 of FIG. 3 and thedestination lot 312 of FIG. 3 through the preferred exit-point 306 ofFIG. 3 and the preferred entry point 314 of FIG. 3 for displaying on thefirst device 102 of FIG. 7.

The route builder module 904 can include overarching rules forcalculating the vehicle travel route 218. The route builder module 904can have rules such as follow traffic regulation or avoid U-turns asoverarching rules for calculating the vehicle travel route 218. Theoverarching rules can be to follow the path regulation 212 associatedwith the different elements of the map 206, such as left turnrestriction at a certain node or one way travel for a certain path.

The route builder module 904 can order the possible choices at a givennode or access way. For example, the route builder module 904 can havethe preference order as pass through, right turn, protected left turns,U-turns, and unprotected left turns for right-side travel trafficsystems such as in United States or Canada.

The route builder module 904 can use the first storage unit 714 or thesecond storage unit 746 to store the overarching rules and the order forthe choices. The route builder module 904 can use the first control unit712, the second control unit 734, or combination thereof to calculatethe vehicle travel route 218. The route builder module 904 can also usethe first control unit 712 and the first display interface 730 or thesecond control unit 734 and the second display interface 740 to displaythe vehicle travel route 218.

The route builder module 904 can include an exit-preference module 908,a route selection module 910, an entry-preference module 912, and atime-distance calculation module 914. The purpose of the exit-preferencemodule 908 is to determine the desired exit for leaving the start lot302 and the direction of travel. The exit-preference module 908 selectsthe preferred exit-point 306 of FIG. 3 from the start lot 302.

The exit-preference module 908 may be limited in selecting the preferredexit-point 306 if the start lot 302 only has one exit. The direction oftravel can be the direction that decreases the distance to thedestination 222 at the fastest rate. If more than one direction the samerate of decrease, the overarching rule can be used as default.

In other instances, the exit-preference module 908 can select thepreferred exit-point 306 using the route selection criteria 612 of FIG.6. For example, when the route selection criteria 612 has safety as thefirst priority, the exit-preference module 908 can select the accessways 304 of FIG. 3 that is the furthest away from the origin-lot hazard308 and the first route-hazard 310 as the preferred exit-point 306.

Also, for example, when the route selection criteria 612 has time ordistance as the first priority, the exit-preference module 908 canselect the access ways 304 that allows for travel in the direction thatdecreases the overall distance to the destination 222. When the startlot 302 has no such exit-point, the exit-preference module 908 canselect the access ways 304 that requires the shortest distance or timeto travel to the node 210 of FIG. 2 that allows for travel in thedirection that decreases the overall distance to the destination 222.

The exit-preference module 908 can use the first storage unit 714 or thesecond storage unit 746 to store the route selection criteria 612. Theexit-preference module 908 can use the first control unit 712, thesecond control unit 734, or combination thereof to select the preferredexit-point 306. The exit-preference module 908 can also use the firstcontrol unit 712 and the first display interface 730 or the secondcontrol unit 734 and the second display interface 740 to display thepreferred exit-point 306.

The purpose of the route selection module 910 is to calculate the bestset of travel paths for going from the starting point 220 to thedestination 222. The route selection module 910 can start from thepreferred exit-point 306 and selecting the path 208 of FIG. 2 followingusing the route selection criteria 612.

The route selection module 910 can start from the preferred exit-point306 and find the node 210 appearing first in the direction selected bythe exit-preference module 908. At the node 210, the route selectionmodule 910 can select the segment of the path 208 that satisfies theroute selection criteria 612 for selecting path segments. The selectingprocess can be the same as the exit-preference module 908. The routeselection module 910 will follow the path until another node appears andrepeat the selection process until the destination lot 312 of FIG. 3 isreached.

The route selection module 910 can use the first control unit 712, thesecond control unit 734, or combination thereof to select the path 208.The route selection module 910 can use the first storage unit 714 or thesecond storage unit 746 to store the path 208. The route selectionmodule 910 can also use the first control unit 712 and the first displayinterface 730 or the second control unit 734 and the second displayinterface 740 to display the path 208.

The purpose of the entry-preference module 912 is to determine thedesired entrance for arriving at the destination lot 312. Theentry-preference module 912 selects the preferred entry point 314 ofFIG. 3 into the destination lot 312. The selection process is the sameas that of the exit-preference module 908, using the route selectioncriteria 612 for selecting the preferred entry point 314.

After selecting the preferred entry point 314, the entry-preferencemodule 912 can calculate the vehicle travel route 218. Theentry-preference module 912 can connect the destination 222, thepreferred entry point 314 and the path 208 calculated by the routeselection module 910 to complete the vehicle travel route 218.

The entry-preference module 912 can use the first storage unit 714 orthe second storage unit 746 to store the route selection criteria 612.The entry-preference module 912 can use the first control unit 712, thesecond control unit 734, or combination thereof to select the preferredentry point 314 and complete the vehicle travel route 218. Theentry-preference module 912 can also use the first control unit 712 andthe first display interface 730 or the second control unit 734 and thesecond display interface 740 to display the preferred entry point 314.

The purpose of the time-distance calculation module 914 is to determinethe length of the vehicle travel route 218 and estimate the timenecessary for traversing the vehicle travel route 218. The time-distancecalculation module 914 can calculate the route distance 226 of FIG. 2and the route travel time 228 of FIG. 2.

The time-distance calculation module 914 can calculate the routedistance 226 by adding the distance of the segments of the path 208 andthe nodes making up the vehicle travel route 218. The time-distancecalculation module 914 can access the associated distance informationcorresponding to the path 208 and the nodes stored in the map 206.

The time-distance calculation module 914 can also calculate the routedistance 226 by measuring the displayed length of the vehicle travelroute 218 and multiplying that by the scale factor associated with themap 206. For example, if one inch on the map 206 represents 1200 inchesor 100 feet, the map scale factor would be 1 inch to 100 feet. Thevehicle travel route 218 that is 5 inches long in display can representthe route distance 226 of 6000 inches or 500 feet.

If the traffic flow rate 404 of FIG. 4 is defined as speeds alongportions of the map 206, the time-distance calculation module 914 cancalculate the route travel time 228 by adding the time required totraverse each segment of the path 208 and the nodes making up thevehicle travel route 218. The time-distance calculation module 914 canaccess the associated average speed information corresponding to thepath and the nodes stored in the map 206.

The time-distance calculation module 914 can divide the distance by theaverage speed at the corresponding time of day for the selected portionof the vehicle travel route 218 to find the time for traversing suchportion. The time-distance calculation module 914 can add the resultingtimes to calculate the route travel time 228.

The time-distance calculation module 914 can use the first control unit712, the second control unit 734, or combination thereof to access thespeed and distance information, and to calculate the route distance 226and the route travel time 228. The time-distance calculation module 914can also use the first control unit 712 and the first display interface730 or the second control unit 734 and the second display interface 740to display the route distance 226 and the route travel time 228.

The route builder module 904 can further optimize the vehicle travelroute 218. The route builder module 904 can repeat the calculationprocess for acquiring the vehicle travel route 218 by altering thevarious choices. For example, the route builder module 904 can calculatea route with the lowest amount of direction changes or lowest amount ofnodes.

The route builder module 904 can calculate a score for each route basedon different factors, such as number of the cautionary attention 502 ofFIG. 5 near the vehicle travel route 218 or the route travel time 228.The route builder module 904 can select the route having the lowestscore as the vehicle travel route 218. The repetition can be limited bythe user, the navigation system 100, the software manufacturer, orcombination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the route builder module 904 is described ascalculating the vehicle travel route 218 beginning from the startingpoint 220 and ending at the destination 222, although it is understoodthat the route builder module 904 can operate differently. For example,the route builder module 904 can calculate the vehicle travel route 218from both ends and meet at a middle point. Also, for example, the routebuilder module 904 can calculate the path section first and then selectthe preferred entry point 314 and the preferred exit-point 306.

The route builder module 904 can also utilize known routing algorithmssuch as Dijkstra's algorithm or Johnson's algorithm. In using therouting algorithms, the route builder module 904 can use the startingpoint 220 and the destination 222 as the end points and treat the accessways the same as nodes.

The purpose of the departure-time selection module 906 is to find adifferent time for departure that is better suited for travelling on thevehicle travel route 218. The departure-time selection module can selectthe suggested leaving time 406 of FIG. 4 when the traffic flow rate 404exceeds a predetermined amount than at the departure time 230.

The departure-time selection module 906 can select the suggested leavingtime 406 by determining the segment in the vehicle travel route 218having the traffic flow rate 404 that is the slowest. The departure-timeselection module 906 can determine the slowest segment of the vehicletravel route 218 by sorting the segments according to the traffic flowrate 404.

The departure-time selection module 906 can search for a later timewhere the traffic flow rate 404 of the slowest segment is improved by athreshold amount. For example, if the vehicle travel route 218 is near aschool at the end of a school day, the departure-time selection module906 can search for a later time when the traffic flow rate 404 subsides.The departure-time selection module 906 can limit the search to withinthe bounds of the operation hours 402 of FIG. 4.

The threshold amount of improvement for the traffic flow rate 404 can beused to ignore trivial improvements in the traffic flow rate 404 and thedifference between the future travel duration 408 of FIG. 4 and theroute travel time 228. The threshold amount can be a limit, such as atleast 10 minute improvement over the segment, at least 10 percentdecrease in the traffic flow rate 404, or combination thereof. Thethreshold amount can be set by the navigation system 100, the user, thesoftware manufacturer, or combination thereof.

The departure-time selection module 906 can designate the suggestedleaving time 406 as the selected time when the traffic flow rate 404 ofthe slowest segment in the vehicle travel route 218 is better than thethreshold amount. If no other time improves the traffic flow rate 404beyond the threshold amount or if the improved time is beyond theoperation hours 402, the departure-time selection module 906 can finishthe calculation and the navigation system 100 can withhold fromdisplaying the suggested leaving time 406 or the future travel duration408.

When the suggested leaving time 406 is selected, the departure-timeselection module 906 can calculate the future travel duration 408. Thedeparture-time selection module 906 can calculate the future travelduration 408 same as the time-distance calculation module 914. Thedeparture-time selection module 906 can use the suggested leaving time406 in place of the departure time 230 and use the traffic flow rate 404at the suggested leaving time 406 instead of at the departure time 230.

The departure-time selection module 906 can use the first control unit712, the second control unit 734, or combination thereof to select thesuggested leaving time 406 and calculate the future travel duration 408.The departure-time selection module 906 can also use the first controlunit 712 and the first display interface 730 or the second control unit734 and the second display interface 740 to display the suggestedleaving time 406 and the future travel duration 408.

The route calculation module 810 can calculate the vehicle travel route218 using the first control unit 712 and the first storage unit 714. Themap module 902 can locate the map 206 stored in the first storage unit714 and use the first control unit 712 to calculate the vehicle travelroute 218 and the associated times and distances. The route calculationmodule 810 can display the vehicle travel route 218 through the firstuser interface 718.

Alternatively, the route calculation module 810 can calculate thevehicle travel route 218 using the second control unit 734 and thesecond storage unit 746. The map module 902 can locate the map 206stored in the second storage unit 746 and use the second control unit734 to calculate the vehicle travel route 218 and the associated timesand distances. The route calculation module 810 can display the vehicletravel route 218 through the second user interface 738.

The route calculation module 810 can alternatively utilize a combinationof the first device 102 and the second device 106. For example, theroute calculation module 810 can locate the map 206 stored in the secondstorage unit 746 through the first control unit 712, the firstcommunication unit 716, the communication path 104, and the secondcommunication unit 736 and the second control unit 734. The routecalculation module 810 can calculate the vehicle travel route 218 withthe first control unit 712.

The vehicle travel route 218 can be displayed through the first displayinterface 730, the second display interface 740, or both. Alternatively,different portions of the vehicle travel route 218 can be displayed onthe first display interface 730 and the second display interface 740.

The navigation system 100 can be partitioned between the first device102 of FIG. 7 and the second device 106 of FIG. 7. For example, thenavigation system 100 can be partition into the functional units of thefirst device 102, the second device 106, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the route calculation module 810 can be on the second device106 and the warning module 812 can be on the first device 102.

The navigation system 100 can also be implemented as additionalfunctional units in the first device 102 of FIG. 1, the first device102, the second device 106, or a combination thereof. For example, thedeparture-time selection module 906 and the route selection module 910can be the additional function units in the second device 106.

It has been discovered that the present invention provides thenavigation system 100 that provide increased accuracy and efficiency inroute for parking lot integrated routing mechanism. The vehicle travelroute 218 gives rise to the benefits by including the route within, aswell as leading to or going from, the parking lots associated with theorigin and the destination 222. The vehicle travel route 218 can allowthe user to conveniently, accurately, and safely arrive at thedestination 222.

Furthermore, the exit-preference module 908 and the entry-preferencemodule 912 provide the improvement in safety. The departure-timeselection module 906 can improve the efficiency, duration, and thesafety of the travel by selecting a time of day that has less trafficand danger in and geographically near the destination lot 312.

The physical transformation of the vehicle travel route 218 results inmovement in the physical world, such as people using the vehicle travelroute 218 for navigating the vehicle, based on the operation of thenavigation system 100. The movement of people in the real world can befed back to the navigation system 100 to further operate the navigationsystem 100 to navigate the vehicle.

Thus, it has been discovered that the navigation system 100 with parkinglot integrated routing algorithm of the present invention furnishesimportant and heretofore unknown and unavailable solutions,capabilities, and functional aspects for navigating travel.

The navigation system 100 describes the module functions or order as anexample. The modules can be partitioned differently. For example, theendpoint identification module 802, the storage lot module 804 and theco-tenant module 806 can determine the starting point 220 and thedestination 222 simultaneously as the surrounding entities rather thansequentially. Also for example, the warning module 812 can belong to theroute builder module 904. Each of the modules can operate individuallyand independently of the other modules.

Referring now to FIG. 10, therein is shown a flow chart of a method 1000of operation of the navigation system 100 in a further embodiment of thepresent invention. The method 1000 includes: identifying a physicallocation with a location unit; selecting a starting point based on thephysical location; selecting a destination; identifying a destinationlot associated with the destination; and calculating a vehicle travelroute from the starting point to the destination with the vehicle travelroute traversing through the destination lot with a control unit fordisplaying on a device.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or systemis straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile andeffective, can be implemented by adapting known components for ready,efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization.

Another important aspect of the present invention is that it valuablysupports and services the historical trend of reducing costs,simplifying systems, and increasing performance.

These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequentlyfurther the state of the technology to at least the next level.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specificbest mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace allsuch alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within thescope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth hereinor shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in anillustrative and non-limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operation of a navigation systemcomprising: identifying a physical location; selecting a starting pointbased on the physical location; selecting a destination; identifying adestination lot encompassing the destination and including multipleaccess points; selecting a specific access point from multiple accessways based on a route selection criteria including a set of criteriaordered according to priority of each criterion in evaluating themultiple access ways; and calculating with a control unit a vehicletravel route from the starting point to the destination with the vehicletravel route traversing across a portion of the destination lot andthrough the specific access point for traversing the vehicle travelroute with a single vehicle.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1wherein: selecting a specific access point includes selecting apreferred entry point into the destination lot; and calculating thevehicle travel route includes calculating the vehicle travel routethrough the preferred entry point.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1further comprising: identifying a destination-lot hazard within thedestination lot and the destination-lot hazard requires a cautionaryattention; and generating an arrival warning based on a time of day whenthe cautionary attention is required.
 4. The method as claimed in claim1 wherein: identifying the destination lot includes identifying thedestination lot having operation hours and a traffic flow rate ofvehicles traveling through the destination lot; and further comprising:selecting a suggested leaving time when the traffic flow rate exceeds apredetermined amount than at a departure time.
 5. A method of operationof a navigation system comprising: identifying a physical location;selecting a starting point based on the physical location; identifying astart lot associated with the starting point including multiple accessways; selecting a preferred exit-point from the multiple access waysbased on a route selection criteria including a set of criteria orderedaccording to priority of each criterion in evaluating the multipleaccess ways; selecting a destination; identifying a destination lotencompassing the destination and including multiple further access ways;selecting a preferred entry point from the multiple access ways based onthe route selection criteria; and calculating with a control unit avehicle travel route from the starting point to the destination with thevehicle travel route traversing out of the start lot and across aportion of the destination lot through the preferred exit-point and thepreferred entry point for traversing the vehicle travel route with asingle vehicle.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:identifying an origin-lot hazard within the start lot and the origin-lothazard requires a cautionary attention; and generating a departurewarning based on a time of day when the cautionary attention isrequired.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:identifying a first route-hazard geographically near the start lot andthe first route-hazard requires a cautionary attention; and generating aroute start warning based on a time of day when the cautionary attentionis required.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein: identifying alast route-hazard geographically near the destination lot and the lastroute-hazard requires a cautionary attention; and generating an approachwarning based on a time of day when the cautionary attention isrequired.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprisingidentifying a parking stall within the destination lot with a distancebetween the destination and the parking stall is minimal.
 10. Anavigation system comprising: a location unit configured to identify aphysical location; a control unit, coupled to the location unit,configured to: select a starting point based on the physical location;select a destination; identify a destination lot encompassing thedestination and including multiple access points; selecting a specificaccess point from multiple access ways based on a route selectioncriteria including a set of criteria ordered according to priority ofeach criterion in evaluating the multiple access ways; and calculate avehicle travel route from the starting point to the destination with thevehicle travel route traversing across a portion of the destination lotand through the specific access point for traversing the vehicle travelroute with a single vehicle.
 11. The system as claimed in claim 10wherein the control unit is configured to: select a preferred entrypoint into the destination lot; and calculate the vehicle travel routethrough the preferred entry point.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 10wherein the control unit is configured to: identify a destination-lothazard within the destination lot and the destination-lot hazardrequires a cautionary attention; and generate an arrival warning basedon a time of day when the cautionary attention is required.
 13. Thesystem as claimed in claim 10 wherein the control unit is configured to:identify the destination lot having operation hours and a traffic flowrate of vehicles traveling through the destination lot; and suggest asuggested leaving time when the traffic flow rate exceeds apredetermined amount than at a departure time.
 14. The system as claimedin claim 10 wherein the control unit is configured to: identify a startlot associated with the starting point including multiple further accessways; select a preferred exit-point from the multiple further accessways based on the route selection criteria; select a preferred entrypoint into the destination lot from the multiple access ways based onthe route selection criteria; and calculate the vehicle travel routefrom the starting point to the destination with the vehicle travel routetraversing through the start lot and the destination lot through thepreferred exit-point and the preferred entry point.
 15. The system asclaimed in claim 14 wherein the control unit is configured to: identifyan origin lot hazard within the start lot and the origin-lot hazardrequires a cautionary attention; and generate a departure warning basedon a time of day when the cautionary attention is required.
 16. Thesystem as claimed in claim 14 wherein the control unit is configured to:identify a first route-hazard geographically near the start lot and thefirst route-hazard requires a cautionary attention; and generate a routestart warning based on a time of day when the cautionary attention isrequired.
 17. The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the control unitis configured to: identify a last route-hazard geographically near thedestination lot and the last route-hazard requires a cautionaryattention; and generate an approach warning based on a time of day whenthe cautionary attention is required.
 18. The system as claimed in claim14 wherein the control unit is configured to identify a parking stallwithin the destination lot with a distance between the destination andthe parking stall is minimal.